Linux Foundation and edX Offer New Course as Starting Point for In-Demand Linux Careers

Essentials of Linux System Administration Will Come Bundled With Linux Foundation Certification Exam Worth $300, and Provides the Training Necessary to Access Hundreds of Thousands of IT Positions

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - Jun 3, 2015) - The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of Linux and collaborative development, today announced it is making its Essentials of Linux Systems Administration (LFS201) course available on the edX platform. With 100+ labs, this hands-on course is designed to build the practical skills a Systems Administrator (SysAdmin) needs to begin a career in Information Technology (IT). EdX is a nonprofit online learning platform launched in 2012 by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

LFS201 is the second course The Linux Foundation has made available on the edX platform. The first, a free course, was Introduction to Linux (LFS101), which to date has enrolled over 400,000 learners, making it one of the largest courses available on the edX platform. The new course, which is appropriate for those who have completed LFS101 and want to take the next step, as well as individuals who have worked in IT positions but not directly with Linux, will be offered for a fee of $499, which includes a Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator exam attempt, a $300 value which includes one free retake if not passed on the first attempt. The course will be offered at an introductory price of only $399 for two weeks from today.

"Our free Introduction to Linux course on edX brought more than 400,000 new people into the Linux community. Now we're calling on the people who are serious about taking the next step," said Jim Zemlin, executive director at The Linux Foundation. "Essentials of Linux Systems Administration will prepare people to join the ranks of the world's best and to take the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator exam, providing the perfect entry point for a lucrative career in IT."

The 2015 Linux Jobs Report shows that more than 9 in 10 hiring managers are planning to bring Linux talent on board this year, and 50 percent report they will hire more Linux professionals than in 2014. At the same time, 88 percent reported difficulty in finding qualified individuals to fill these positions. Linux is clearly an attractive entry point for early career IT professionals.

"After the tremendous response we saw to LFS101, it is clear there is huge demand among early career IT professionals for Linux training," said edX CEO Anant Agarwal. "We're proud to continue working with The Linux Foundation to help lower the barrier to entry for the tremendous career opportunities Linux offers."

LFS201 enrollment is open now on edx.org, and students will be able to begin taking the course on August 3, 2015. This exam is offered online and can be taken anytime, from anywhere, making it a convenient option for individuals around the globe. It is completely performance-based, so tests skills rather than rote memorization, which makes these certifications attractive to potential employers. As the jobs report found that 54% of hiring managers expect a certification or evidence of formal training from applicants, certified professionals will have a leg up on the competition.

LFS201 will also continue to be offered directly from The Linux Foundation. By making the course material available in more places, The Linux Foundation hopes to increase access to practical Linux learning materials and help expand the qualified Linux talent pool, giving hundreds of thousands of future IT professionals the right entry point for their careers.

About The Linux FoundationThe Linux Foundation is a nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux and collaborative software development. Founded in 2000, the organization sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and promotes, protects and advances the Linux operating system and collaborative software development by marshaling the resources of its members and the open source community. The Linux Foundation provides a neutral forum for collaboration and education by hosting Collaborative Projects, Linux conferences including LinuxCon, and generating original research and content that advances the understanding of Linux and collaborative software development. More information can be found at www.linuxfoundation.org.

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